A photo on a holiday card doesn't need to be formal — or feature matching reindeer sweaters. These tips from photographers and readers will help you create picture-perfect season's greetings.

Find the right light. Early morning or late afternoon creates a warm glow (rather than the unflattering glare of midday), says C. Taylor Crothers, a New York City-based photographer. If you're indoors, stand between your subjects and a window for a soft effect

Hold the plaid. "Imagine you're dressing for a nice dinner," suggests Elizabeth Messina, a California-based photographer. Patterns are distracting; aim for solids or simple prints to allow faces to take center stage.

Capture the moment. "The longer you go, the more cranky people will get," says Crothers. Instead of a formal shoot, try taking pictures in several locations. And just because you're behind the camera doesn't mean you can't crack a grin. The more fun the experience is for you, the more it will translate into photos that look fun and spontaneous, not staged.

Focus on fidgeting. It's the expressiveness of kids that makes them great photo subjects, reminds Messina. Instead of forcing your kids to smile, give them an activity — like playing with the family pet or working together on a puzzle — to make laughs come naturally.

Keep clicking. "Some of my best images happen between poses," says Messina. Keep things fresh by enlisting someone else to take pictures at the same time. The result? Twice the chance of getting a great shot.

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Last year I had each of my three children hold a wooden letter to spell out the word joy. It turned out so pretty! — Julie Lillard Apex, NC

I choose a day to head to the mall with my girls and take shots of them near all the great holiday decorations and displays. They dress for the season, and we have a blast — not to mention great photos! — Angie Foley Princeton, WV

I take a photo of my sons playing in the snow from the previous year. Or I'll take a picture of them at the beach during the summer, with a "Wish you were here" message. — La'Tonya Hocker Bowling Green, KY

My husband and I try to have our card reflect something about who we are, like a photo of us at a Rolling Stones concert or hiking through Yosemite. — Glynis Buschmann Yuba City, CA